where do we go now?

[winny63]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can give us some ideas as to where to go.. Hubby and I went on a western in 2006 loved the ship but didnt care for the stops. 2007 we went southern loved the islands didnt care for the ship. Looking for advice of both ships and itinerary..I would go southern again. even barfoot cruises look nice. any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Diane

[eandj]

You didn't tell us what ships/line you have done. Are you only interested in warm weather tropical cruising? When do you cruise?

[winny63]

we went on celebrity galaxy didnt like the boat but liked the ports.(southern car)

went on star princess loved the boat didnt like the ports. (west car)

like warm weather and traveling in feb.

[Kanukkacruise]

We didn't like the Galaxy at all! While we enjoyed our Princess cruises, we find Royal Caribbean to be by far the best experience. Are you leaving out of Florida? If so try a Radiance class ship like the Brilliance or the Radiance. We didn't care for Mexican Riviera but had fun in Cozumel, Grand Caymen, etc. on the Rhapsody. (Everyone loves the Rhapsody!) Actually, I honestly believe that if you are on an RCI ship that you will have a good time regardless of the ports. The Canada/New England cruise on the Explorer out of Cape Liberty is also a really good itinerary.

[8 Bells]

Have you considered a Med cruise? European cruises are really a hot item right now, and a great way to sample some of the places you might want to go back to later on and spend more time exploring. Check out the Europe - Med. forum.

[mithryl]

It really depends on your flexibility of:

Length of cruise

Time of Year

Dollars to Spend

 

There's a whole world out there. If you only want to sail the Caribbean...your choices are limited (even though there are still many choices of destinations, length of cruise and cruiseline).

What are your interests?

What do you enjoy most about cruising?

Are you limited to 7 days, or can you do 10+ days?

[05mak05]

Panama Canal is a fabulous cruise. Nov to Feb are the best months as you avoid the rainy season.

[dforeigner]

You could take the Diamond Princess from Los Angeles and visit the Hawaiian Islands. It is a 15 day cruise though (it may be a 14 day).

[jerseygirl3]

How 'bout the Celebrity Constellation 10 or 11 day southern Caribbean itinerary? That particular ship is more in line with Princess ships, but even nicer. I think you'd enjoy it much more than the Galaxy.

[Adlibjac]

Oh dear!

 

We are booked to go on our first cruise to S Carribean on GALAXY!!!!

 

Why did you not like the ship?

[Kanukkacruise]

You might want to go to the Celebrity board and do a search for "Galaxy." Also within the last six months or so there was a thread asking "which is your least favorite ship?" Lots of people replied the "Galaxy." Celebrity doesn't seem to maintain their ships like they should and that the Galaxy is their least favorite ship. We were in an oceanview cabin. The carpet was threadbare and flithy. It's bound to have been the original. Couch was dirty and worn out. The mattress was so nasty, dirty and sagging that by day 3, they finally switched it. I swear we are not normally complainers. There were flies all over the buffet area. Entertainment is dismal - "Elements" which is the production show is just plain weird. People walked out. We've also been on one other Celebrity ship. How on earth they ever got the reputation of a "notch above" is beyond me except for the fact that they overprice and seem to get away with it. Having said all of this, you'll find tons of people who LOVE this cruise line. We expected the WOW factor and instead said YUK. Also nothing worked - the whirlpools, the waterfall in spa area, etc - all broken. There was food encrusted in the chairs in the buffet area with torn upolistery. I can already hear the responses to this post from people who say I'm simply a complainer and the standard "one day on a cruise is better ... " Our money is hard earned. We paid a premium for the cruise and will stick to Princess or Royal Caribbean from now on.

[Host Kewlguy]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone can give us some ideas as to where to go.. Hubby and I went on a western in 2006 loved the ship but didnt care for the stops. 2007 we went southern loved the islands didnt care for the ship. Looking for advice of both ships and itinerary..I would go southern again. even barfoot cruises look nice. any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Diane

 

We love transatlantics. Everyone should experience one at least once in their lifetime. Maybe they'll become hooked like us.

[winny63]

great responses im checking out all the ideas you have given me.. Thanks so much..its very much appreciated.

[newmexicoNita]

Of course we don't know what you didn't like about the Galaxy, but my guess would be, if you didn't like the Galaxy you may not like barefoot cruising. It appeals to a certain type of cruiser same as barge cruising in Europe attracks certain people. This is not to be negative as the Windjammer and other barefoot cruises can be fun, but they lack what many think cruising is about. AS for what ship and what ports? Well, we all have our opinions: For people who like to relax, don't care about night time activities, enjoy great food and larger cabins HAL fits the bill: for those who like to party a little more, stay up later at night, like the larger cabin idea but aren't as concerned about food Carnival might be for you. Again, I am not knocking Carnival food, just compared to HAL it isn't considered nearly as good. Of course the newer Celebrity ships are very nice, offer good meals, cabins that compare with most mass marketed lines (nothing bigger or partiuclarly better) the service is good and the line is popular although many feel it has gone down hill in the past few years. They do offer great itineraries.

 

last but not least are RCI and NCL. RCI has a great fleet with ships that offer many activities, mixed reviews on food and service, but generally popular. NCL has the advantage of a little more casual dress for those who don't like to bring 1/2 their wardrobe with them, they offer great itineraries and the benefit of free style dining which means you are not sitting with the same people or eating at the same time each night. For many this is ideal, others still prefer the traditional dining. The older NCL ships get mixed reviews, the majority of their ships are 6 years old or newer and becoming popular.

 

Though I admit to being an NCL loyalist, I never try to influence my clients and we always look at all lines before we decide which to take. If price and itinerary are similar we go for freestyle, if what we want is offered on another line we will switch. Last year we did HAL to the Panama Canal in Nov and NCL in the spring. This year we are doing the Mexican Riv.

 

Our favorite itinerary for shorter cruises in the southern Caribbean. If you have the time and want to spend the money I would suggest the Med.

 

Some are advising you do an itinerary like Grand Cayman, Cozumel, etc. I think you have said you didn't enjoy the western ports so this certainly wouldn't work for you.

 

Again, a lot has to do with the price range you are looking in. RCI might be perfect in a certain class, but some of their ships leave a lot to be desired.

 

Have you thought of talking to a cruise specialist? He/she may be able to give you better answers. Nita